Police have described an alleged daylight attack that left an elderly, disabled man fighting for his life in a Toowoomba hospital as "brazen and abhorrent".
Police apprehended and charged two teenage males, aged 18 and 16, over the incident, who today faced court in Toowoomba.
They said the 75-year-old was waiting at a taxi rank outside Grand Central Shopping Centre on Margaret Street at about 5pm Monday when he was pushed to the ground from behind and had his backpack stolen.
The alleged victim suffered serious head, neck and spine injuries, and was taken to hospital.
Toowoomba Detective Inspector Heath McQueen said he had been advised the man's injuries were "not survivable".
"Cowardly, abhorrent, a 75-year-old male minding his own business and had an impairment," he said.
Queensland Ambulance Service Officer Bradley Setch said the victim had gone into cardiac arrest and was revived by paramedics.
"He didn't have a pulse. He was not breathing," he said.
"This was witnessed by community of Toowoomba, which was very upsetting for them and our team responded."
"We were very lucky under the circumstances, we got return of spontaneous circulation, and we transported him to Toowoomba Base Hospital."
Helicopter used to track car
Police said the alleged offender climbed into a car with the backpack and fled the scene.
Polair and local police tracked the car, which they alleged was stolen from Dalby last week.
"Early information [is], after the offence occurred they were travelling around the Toowoomba CBD area looking to commit further offences," Detective Inspector McQueen said.
They intercepted the car on Hermitage Road at about 8:40pm after using a tyre-deflation device.
Police said the two teenagers ran away and hid in nearby bushland but were quickly found by a dog squad and taken into custody.
The offenders were known to police.
Wilsonton man Isaac Zane Cubb, 18, was charged with one count each of grievous bodily harm, robbery using personal violence, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and enter dwelling and commit.
He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody, with his matter in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court adjourned until late March.
A 16-year-old local boy was also denied police bail and is due to appear in the Toowoomba Children's Court on a charge of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police expect more arrests
Police have urged any witnesses of the incident to come forward, including those who saw a white Hyundai Tucson in the Darling Downs region between 5pm and 8:30pm on Monday.
They believe there were two or more people in the car when the attack occurred.
"We have multiple persons outstanding that we will be looking to apprehend and we're applying a large amount of resources to this investigation and we will catch them very soon," Detective Inspector McQueen said.
Police have also appealed for Toowoomba CBD residents to be on the lookout for a distinctive blue backpack that was believed to have been discarded nearby shortly after the incident.
